Boilers Don’t Last A Lifetime

Could hanging on to your old boiler be costing you money? Is that relic in the corner of your kitchen or in a cupboard under the stairs making some strange noises and costing you too much money? If so, it may be time to look at installing a new boiler, but first you may need to take a good look at your system to see if it is really on its way out.

What to consider before spending all that money and replacing your heating system.

Checklist;

What’s the age of your boiler? Boilers can last up to 15 years; however as technology moves on boilers fitted more than 10 years ago may be not as efficient.

Has your boiler been regularly serviced? A yearly boiler service and a winter check could prolong the lifespan of your boiler. Each service will ensure every part is working. If not it will be replaced and all fans, sensors and internal workings cleaned so they're free of any harmful dust, grit or sludge.

Is your house not being heated properly? Temperature fluctuation in boilers can be a result of a faulty boiler. To test this simply set the thermostat at a set temperature, then run the hot water and check the temperature remains constant. If the temperature fluctuates this is an indication the internal workings of your boiler may be coming to the end of their life.

Noisy Boiler System. Knocking, Hissing or Popping are unusual noises to hear coming from your heating system. These may be an indication that there is a problem with uneven water distribution causing vibration when heated.

But don’t jump to any conclusion as this may also be trapped air in the system. To release air from your heating system go round and bleed all radiators in your home. If the noises persist then this is something to contact your local plumber about.

How to bleed your heating system – you will need an old rag, a radiator key and possibly a bucket. Place the cloth over the radiator key and place the key on the side of the radiator over the brass nut. Turn slowly and gently a quarter of a turn until it becomes loosened. You should hear air rushing out. Leave the screw open until you hear water rushing through the air. This means all the water is rushing to be released. Once a small amount of water appears on the cloth close the valve and tighten.

Boiler Leaking? Have you noticed a leak from your boiler? It may not be that obvious. Have a look for a rusty patch or green marks down the copper pipes. This may be a simple fix but could also mean a larger problem.

Pilot Light. Have you noticed your pilot light going out a lot recently, this could mean a deposit build-up near the pilot light or a loose connection. This is an easy fix; alternatively it could be another problem with the boiler system.

Take note of which boxes you may have ticked before making the big decision. You could be spending an unnecessarily large amount of money on a new boiler when really all you need to do is potentially have your boiler serviced and a few parts replaced. Please note when replacing parts you should always get a quote. As you may soon find the price runs away from you and at this point a new boiler would have been the same price if not cheaper.